Paine College is proud to announce that Darrien Holland has been chosen to receive the prestigious 2019 UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes the recipient's outstanding academic accomplishment and is available to graduating seniors attending any of the nation's HBCUs. Darrien graduated Salutatorian and Magna Cum Laude in May 2019.

The UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholarship is the result of a partnership between the United Negro College Fund and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Established to mark the 50-year anniversary of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation's National Achievement® Scholarship Program, this new faculty-nominated scholarship offers students a one-time financial award ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, which they can use to retire educational costs or pay for future educational expenses.

Unlike many other scholarships that just provide money, the Achievement Capstone award also provides scholarship recipients with an opportunity to participate in the Capstone Scholar Alumni community. That participation offers recipients other important benefits like peer networking and interaction, graduate school opportunities, and various career opportunities.

To win the scholarship, Darrien had to meet the program's eligibility criteria for academic excellence and campus involvement. That criteria include academic achievement at the level of cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude, and a demonstrated commitment to campus involvement and leadership "in ways that honor the legacy of the 1964 Civil Rights Act."

The 2019 Salutatorian also helped the Paine College Honda Campus All-Star team to compete in the fast-paced buzzer competition that highlighted students' ability to answer questions about history, science, literature, religion and the arts. The Paine College team competed among 47 HBCU teams and returned home with a $6,000 prize.

Thankful for the honor, Darrien already knows how the $2,500 scholarship award will be spent. "It is hard to put into words how much I appreciate the UNCF for this award. I will utilize the award to further my graduate studies. I am grateful to Paine College for providing me with lifelong mentors and experiences that will travel with me throughout my career. I look forward to returning to Paine College and giving back to the institution that gave so much to me."

"We are grateful for the hard work, dedication and support of the UNCF and NMSC," said President Jerry L. Hardee. "Awards like the UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholarship represent an investment in the future of students like Darrien Holland and play important roles in helping students to achieve their educational and career dreams."

The Paine College Family is proud of Darrien and thrilled to see his hard work and commitment to excellence recognized in this way. We are also confident that he will continue to demonstrate that level of excellence throughout his graduate studies and beyond.

Congratulations, Darrien. Well done!